Kroger shoppers nationwide will be able to pay for their groceries with a scan of their smartphone this year.

The nation's largest supermarket chain has launched Kroger Pay, a mobile phone option that bundles payment and loyalty card information to speed customers' checkout. The company also introduced a new rewards debit card.

Both products have been launched in the grocer's Columbus-area markets and will be expanded this spring to 10 more metro areas this spring - Kroger wouldn't say where - and nationwide later this year.

Available via Kroger's mobile app in participating markets, Kroger Pay gives customers a code to scan at the terminal that provides both payment and loyalty card information at the checkout or self-checkout line. The program also stores and transmits digital coupons and personalized offers in a single swipe.

Kroger Pay can also be linked to any major debit, credit or prepaid card and allows customers to earn fuel points and grocery rewards.

"Kroger Pay is one of the few mobile wallets that pairs loyalty and payment," said Mary Ellen Adcock, group vice president of operations. "The application of this exciting technology is another step in our front-end experience transformation."

Kroger also launched its Rewards debit card that connects directly to customers' checking accounts. The card offers bonus fuel points and rewards, which are doubled when paired with Kroger Pay.

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